Girls front man Owens goes solo with 'Lysandre'

MUSIC POP QUIZ

Updated 3:06 am, Sunday, January 13, 2013

S.F. singer-songwriter Christopher Owens is touring in support of his first solo album, "Lysandre."

S.F. singer-songwriter Christopher Owens is touring in support of his first solo album, "Lysandre."

Photo: Ryan McGinley

Girls front man Owens goes solo with 'Lysandre'

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In July, Girls front man Christopher Owens unexpectedly announced he was leaving the band: "My reasons at this time are personal," he said through Twitter. "I need to do this in order to progress." This week the 33-year-old San Francisco singer-songwriter releases his first solo album, "Lysandre," a collection of songs that recount his experiences touring the world for the first time with Girls and falling in love with the album's namesake in France. He spoke to us at his home in the city.

Q:It seemed like you were calling the shots in Girls. Why would you walk away?

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A: There are a lot of reasons. There was not one instance that caused the band to break up. It was more of a long, slow process.

Q:Based on your other songs, you've obviously fallen in love before. What was it about this girl that deserved an entire album?

A: Well, it's not really an album about a girl. The title is a bit deceiving. The reason it was important is because of who I was at that time - the person who thought it was exciting to fall in love with a girl while on tour. Maybe I wouldn't do that anymore. It was about a time period when everything was naive and fresh.

Q:Did you have to get out of San Francisco to make it?

A: No, not at all. The guy that I worked on it with is based in L.A. He had connections and a studio. Three of the musicians live there. It was just more convenient and more affordable.

Q:You did a small tour to introduce these songs to your fans. How did it go? Do you think they were ready for the flute solos?

A: Better than I expected. I didn't really know how the album would be accepted. I didn't know how I would be accepted, choosing to be a solo artist. I didn't know if people would be not interested since it wasn't Girls anymore. This little tour has taken all those feelings away. It's been quite an encouraging thing to play in front of people.

Q: Have you outgrown the Girls songs - are you a different person now?

A: I want to play those songs again. I just want to give it a little space and time. I know those songs are so much of myself that I don't feel it's inappropriate to play them. I will play them again. I just didn't want to rub that in the band's face. I'm very excited about the new stuff. {sbox}

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